As the days start to get a bit chilly, we at California State University, Stanislaus take notice that fall is here. Our wardrobe is changing, midterms are in full gear and cuddling season has begun. If you want to beat the cold nights, take a break from studying and enjoy the sound of music by attending one of the concerts at CSU Stanislaus.
The Music Department kicked off its 2013-2014 Concert Series with the Fall Choral Concert last Friday night at the Bernell and Flora Snider Music Recital Hall.
This concert showcased the University Chamber Singers and Concert Chorale and was well worth the $8 price of admission.
During rehearsal, Dr. Daniel R. Afonso, Jr., Director of Vocal and Choral Studies, gave the choir a few reminders. Tone is the most important aspect of the singer’s voice. When turning pages, be silent; this can make or break a performance. And the team is a single unit; they’re all in this together.
When witnessing Dr. Afonso conduct, it was clear that he is passionate about and dedicated to his music, wanting everything done the right way.
“Dr. Afonso demands and nurtures the best musicianship of his singers in both his choirs,” Ashleigh Hiltabidel, CSU Stanislaus alumna and Chamber singer, said.
Going into the recital hall, I was not sure if I was going to enjoy this Chorale Concert. Being a total “Gleek,” I really wanted to hear showtunes. But after hearing the sneak peek, I knew it was going to be a lovely concert.
The Chamber Singers were the first to perform. They had a variety of music that ranged from classical to traditional. The audience warmed to them as their performance went on, clapping louder and louder with each song’s end. Some people in the crowd even voiced their opinions; I caught a “beautiful,” plenty of “wows” and even a “damn, that was nice.”
The last and most memorable song the Chamber Singers performed was, “I want Jesus to walk with me” (arranged by Ken Berg), a catchy and upbeat conclusion to their set. This tune had the audience swaying to the beat. By the third verse I was singing along, “I want Jesus to, I want Jesus to…”
The second choir, the Concert Chorale, was the bigger of the two. Two songs from their performance really made an impression on me, the first being “Autumn” (Kevin Memley). This song reminded me that I was listening to a fall choral concert. The choir created a relaxing, calm and breezy atmosphere convincing enough to give me the chills. The singers’ deep concentration and powerful emotion made the performance that much better.
The Concert Chorale ended the night with their second highly memorable song, “Sacramento Sis Joe” (Jackson Berkey). During their performance the choir clapped, whistled and moved to the beat of the music. The audience laughed, tapped their feet and bobbed their heads along with the performers. Observing this enthusiastic participation, I knew the concert was a hit. After the choir’s final conclusion, the audience cheered, gave standing ovations and clapped as long and as loud as they could.
If you missed this performance don’t worry. There will be plenty of other choral concerts to attend. If you have any questions about upcoming events, you can check out csustan.edu/music, or contact the Music Department’s main office at 209-667-3421.